The prospect of recognising a proposed Palestinian state is making headlines again. European countries are leading the charge, whilst the U.S. and the occupying entity have expressed reservations.

Here is a quick 101 to make sense of what a Palestinian state represents, and why the prospect of its recognition is being floated again.

What is a Palestinian State?

A state that would be built on a fraction of occupied Palestinian land, historically along pre 1967 borders. Though even this notion is being challenged, with the U.S. and the occupying entity currently seeking to absorb both Gaza and the West Bank into the occupying entity, with a future Palestinian state, if it ever emerges, to be established in another country.

Would a Palestinian state be an actual state?

A Palestinian state, by account of all proposals, would be a powerless shell with no independent economy, military or territorial sovereignty. It would be entirely dependent upon the occupying entity for its survival and security.

Should Muslims be excited at the prospect of a Palestinian state?

No.

Firstly, such a proposal is relinquishment of occupied Palestinian land outside the areas of the proposed Palestinian state.

Secondly, it would mean acceptance of the occupation’s existence along permanent borders.

Thirdly, it reduces the occupation of Palestine to merely a Palestinian issue, to be negotiated away by a powerless segment of the Ummah, whilst the responsibility falls upon the entire Ummah to liberate the entirety of Palestine.

Why is Europe (and even Australia) pushing the prospect of a Palestinian state now?

Europe is in competition with the U.S. over international politics, including the future of the Middle East. This competition is entirely self-serving and has nothing to do with the betterment of the Palestinian condition.

European proposals have emphasised again the emptiness of what a proposed Palestinian state represents, with its recognition being dependent on an immediate ‘ceasefire’ (i.e., Muslim surrender), the disarming of the Palestinian resistance (i.e., abandonment of the Palestinian cause), the elimination of Hamas (i.e., ‘controlled resistance’ from Fatah only) and a comprehensive ‘peace’ (i.e., a final surrender).

Both the U.S. and Europe agree on the necessity of protecting the occupation but disagree on how best to convince Muslims to finally accept its existence. Europe is worried about matters advancing in a way that shuts them out of any future influence in this part of the world, given how things seem to be progressing in accordance with more aggressive U.S. policies.

Why is the U.S. and the occupying entity (and even Australia) against the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state?

The establishment of a Palestinian state would represent the final piece in the regional occupational puzzle.

But for the occupation to persist, it requires the region to be prepared to accept its permanent existence. In the absence of outright acceptance of occupation, the entity at least requires a level of political, economic and military strength that can shield it from the collective threat the region could represent.

At the same time, a Palestinian state will fix the borders of both ‘Palestine’ and the occupying entity. The U.S. and the occupying entity are of the view the current makeup of the occupying entity is insufficient to fulfill its future security needs, and have identified the annexation of Gaza and the West Bank as a key priority in providing the occupation the buffer it desperately requires.

Having a Palestinian state in what the occupation regards as strategic territories would be suicidal for its long-term survival prospects. Hence, the efforts to expel all Palestinians, starting with Gaza, and later the West Bank, and even Palestinians inside the entity, to a location outside its borders.

The concept of a ‘Greater Israel’ still persists too, though the U.S. is busy preparing conditions that would serve as an acceptable compromise for the occupation.

What would the announcement of a Palestinian state today mean practically?

Without U.S. support, nothing at all.

Though, in reality, not even Europe is serious about a proposed Palestinian state. Its announcement is diplomatic huff, designed to steal the U.S.’s thunder, in presenting European alternatives for resolving a protracted conflict that is destabilising both Europe and the U.S.

The concept of a Palestinian state has been floated since the 1950’s, and the conditions France and the U.K. have set for its recognition is designed to make it impossible to achieve.

The lives of Palestinians is simply being used as bargaining chips between rival world powers

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